Autoclavable power-pak seal

ABSTRACT

Autoclavable power-pak having a bore in a stainless steel casing housing a lens-end light bulb with an externally threaded base, a heat and pressure resistant silicone rubber seal comprising a tubular body surrounding the bulb and an integral annular flange extending inwardly from its upper end for resilient engagement with the lens end of the bulb to effect a sealing action, and a brass sleeve threadedly mounted on the base of the bulb to effect a sealing action, and a brass sleeve threadedly mounted on the base of the bulb and having a lower outwardly extending flange engaging the case for electric current transfer purposes and the lower end of the tubular body to effect a second sealing action between the bulb and the casing.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ralph G. Ostensen Morton Grove, Ill.

[21 Appl. No. 778,288

[22] Filed Nov. 22, 1968 [45] Patented May 18, 1971 [73] AssigneeMedical Products Corp.

Skokie, Ill.

[54] AUTOCLAVABLE POWER-PAK SEAL 10.68, 10.65, 10.6, 11.2, 26, 11.2(E.P.), 6.46, 6.41, 6.4(F.E.);128/69,11,13,16,18, 22

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,288,304 12/1918 Wacker240/11.2E.P.

Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant ExaminerRobert P. GreinerAn0rneyDavis, Lucas, Brewer & Brugman ABSTRACT: Autoclavable power-pakhaving a bore in a stainless steel casing housing a lens-end light bulbwith an externally threaded base, a heat and pressure resistant siliconerubber seal comprising a tubular body surrounding the bulb and anintegral annular flange extending inwardly from its upper end forresilient engagement with the lens end of the bulb to effect a sealingaction, and a brass sleeve threadedly mounted on the base of the bulb toeffect a sealing action, and a brass sleeve threadedly mounted on thebase of the bulb and having a lower outwardly extending flange engagingthe case for electric current transfer purposes and the lower end of thetubular body to effect a second sealing action between the bulb and thecasing.

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Patented May 18,1971; 3,579,269

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. 1 AU'IOCLAVABLE POWER-PAK SEAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to autoclavable power-paks, andmore particularly to a novel heat and pressure resistant seal interposedbetween the light bulb and the casing thereof.

2. Description of the PriorArt Surgical and diagnostic instruments areknown which incorporate means for illuminating interior portions of thehuman body, but until the invention of my copending application Ser. No.574,431, filed Aug. 23, 1966, and now abandoned, they did not includebattery powered light units or fiber optics devices capable of beingautoclaved. That invention provides such autoclavable units, including apower-pak readily separable from and operatively attachable to asurgical instrument disposed in a body cavity, without removing theinstrument from the cavity, and also capable of independent use and usewith different type of instruments.

The autoclavable power-pak of that invention employs a lens-end lightbulb mounted in a stainless steel casing and an O-ring seal interposedbetween the casing and the bulb. So long as bulbs are available withtheir dimensions within very limited tolerances, this constructionprovides a satisfactory heat and pressure resistant seal between thebulb and the easing, but it has been found that such lens-end bulbs varyquite widely in their dimensions and particularly in the verticaldistance from the bottom surface of the base of the bulb to the curvedintermediate surface of the lens or glass part of the bulb. This is theone dimension which the bulb manufacturers find most difficult to holdwithin close tolerances, but it also is critical in effecting asatisfactory seal with the O-ring for enabling the unit to beautoclaved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention overcomes this difficultyand enables use of lens-end light bulbs having widely different verticaldimensions from the curved portion of the glass to the bottom of thebase in such an autoclavable power-pak while, at the same time,providing an improved seal between the bulb and the casing of the unitand better electrical contact between the latter and the metal ferruleon the bulb base. This is accomplished by means of a heat and pressureresistant seal in the form of a resilient tubular body,.preferably ofsilicone rubber, surrounding the bulb and having an integral annularflange extending from its upper end for engagement with the lens end ofthe bulb to effect a sealing action therewith. Means also are providedfor exerting pressure against the lower end of the seal body to effect asecond sealing action between the bulb and the casing which preferablycomprises a brass sleeve threadedly mounted on the metal ferruleon thebulb base, with an outwardly extending flange at its lower end engagingthe lower end of the seal'body and also in electrical-contactingengagement with the case.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a power-pak unitembodying the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1.on an enlarged scale through theupper end portion or casing member separated from the unit with a lightbulb and my novel seal mounted therein; and

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing a different bulb having agreater length than that of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly toFIG. 1, a power-pak unit designated generally by reference numeral 26 isshown which is substantially the same as that of said application forU.S. Pat., Ser. No. 574,431, flied Aug. 23, 1966, and now abandoned, andcomprises an upper end portion or casing member 27, a central tubularsection or second casing member 28 and a lower end portion 29. It ispreferred that this casing be made from a suitable stainless steel,although any desired material may be employed which will'not be affectedby the very substantial heat encountered in autoclaving. The inner endsof the outer sections 27 and 28 are threaded on their outer surfaces andthe ends of the central section 28 are complementally adapted to receivethem, while O-rings 31, preferably made of silicone rubber, areinterposed between the end surfaces of section 28 and annular flanges 32formed on each of the end sections 27 and 29. The upper casing member 27is provided with a longitudinally extending bore forming an open-endedrecess 33 at its outer end and a light bulb receiving recess 34 oflarger diameter at its inner end separated therefrom by an angularlydisposed annular shoulder 35. The end casing member 27 comprises areceptacle for a suitable lens-end high-intensity light bulb 36, thefilament-enclosing glass envelope of which is curved intermediate itsends at 37 to provide a reduced outer lens-end adapted to extend freelyinto the recess 33.

In the unit of said application Ser. No. 574,43 I, an O-ring seal (notshown herein) is interposed between the curved portion 37 of the bulb 36and the annularshoulder 35, and pressure is exerted lengthwise of thebulb 36 against that seal by an insulating washer interposed between thebase portion 41 of the bulb (usually comprising an outer threaded brassferrule) and a shoulder 42 defining the inner end of the tapped portionof the central casing section 28. The other or outer end of the casingsection 28 also is provided with a similar inner shoulder 42, and aninsulating washer 43 is interposed between that shoulder 42 and theinner end of the lower casing section 29. Disposed within the centralcasing section 28 between this insulating washer 43 and the inner end ofthe base portion 41 of the light bulb 36 is a source of electric energyin the form of one or more electric cells 44 which are highly heatresistant and preferably enclosed within a suitable insulating tube 45.The lower end portion 29 of the casing of this power-pak 26 also isbored to provide an inner portion 46 of relatively small diameter and anouter portion 47 tapped to receive the threaded portion 48 of a controlswitch member 49. The latter also includes an inner end portion 51slidably extending through the inner bore portion 46 and an outer endportion 52 which preferably is knurled to facilitate manual rotationthereof. The inner and outer portions 46 and 47 of the bore receivingthe switch member 49 are joined by an annular surface defining ashoulder 53 against which a seal, preferably in the form of an O-ring 54of silicone rubber, is maintained by means of a coil spring 55 mountedon the inner end 51 of the switch member and interposed between theouter threaded portion 48 thereof and a washer S6. The parts so fardescribed are similar to those disclosed in said patent application Ser.No. 574,431 and are designated herein by the same reference numerals asare therein employed.

In the instant invention, an improved heat and pressure resistant sealbetween the bulb 36 and the casing member 27 is provided which comprisesa resilient tubular body 101 surrounding the bulb 36 and having anintegral annular flange 102 extending inwardly from the upper endthereof for sealing contact with the curved intermediate portion 37 ofthe glass envelope of the light bulb 36. This seal 101, 102 preferablyis of silicone rubber and the inner circular dimension of its flange 102is such as to provide an interference fit with the glass portion of thebulb to effect a sealing action therewith. Means are provided forexerting longitudinal pressure up: wardly against the lower end of thetubular body 101 of this sea] to effect a second sealing action betweenthe bulb 36 and the upper casing member 27. As previously noted, thebulb 36 customarily includes an externally threaded base or brassferrule 41, and this pressure exerting means comprises a brass sleeve103 threaded thereon with an outwardly extending flange 104 at its lowerend contacting the lower end of the tubular body 101. As will beappreciated from FIG. 1, this pressure exerting means also includesmeans for holding the outwardly extending flange 104 on the sleeve 103in electricalcontacting engagement with the upper casing member 27,which means comprises the upper shoulder 42 in the central casingsection 28 and the threaded portions of the casing sections 27 and 28cooperating to retain the same together in operative relationship.

In addition to providing an extremely effective high temperature andpressure resistant seal between the bulb 36 and the casing section 27housing it, this construction enables use of light bulbs having fairlywide variations in their vertical dimensions extending from the curvedportion 37 of the glass envelope to the bottom of the base 41. This iswell illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light bulb 36a in FIG. 3 having aconsiderably longer such vertical dimension. Because of this greaterlength of the bulb 36a, as compared with that of bulb 36 in FIG. 2, theannular flange 102 on the upper end of the tubular body 101 of the sealis merely displaced upwardly from its position of FIG. 2 to thatillustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the same sealing effect is provided. Andbecause the aperture in the flange 102 when the seal is in a relaxedcondition is smaller than the glass envelope of the bulb, the desiredsealing efiect will be obtained when the seal and the bulb areoperatively assembled, and this will be so even if the glass envelope oran end portion thereof is cocked at an angle to the bulb axis, whichoften is the case. It also will be appreciated that in addition to itsfunctions of accurately locating the bulb 36 with respect to the seal101, 102 and the head or end casing section 27 of the power-pak andinsuring proper electrical contact between the bulb base ferrule 41 andthe casing, the flanged sleeve 103, I04 simplifies and makes moreconvenient bulb replacement whenever that is required.

Iclaim:

1. In an autoclavable power-pak having a bore in a casing member housinga lens-end light bulb, a heat and pressure resistant seal interposedbetween said bore and said bulb, comprising a tubular body surroundingsaid bulb, and an integral annular flange extending inwardly from theupper end of said body for sealing contact with said bulb.

2. In an autoclavable power-pak according to claim 1,

wherein said bore defines an annular shoulder, means for exertingpressure longitudinally on said seal to engage the upper end thereofwith said shoulder.

3. An autoclavable power-pak according to claim 2, wherein saidpressure-exerting means comprises a sleeve interposed between said bulband said seal having an outwardly extending flange engaging the lowerend of said tubular body.

4. In an autoclavable power-pak according to claim 3, wherein saidcasing member is separably attachable to a second casing member heldagainst said outwardly extending flange and constituting part of saidpressure-exerting means.

5. An autoclavable power-pak according to claim 4, wherein said bulb hasan externally threaded base, and said sleeve is a metallic conductorthreaded thereon with said outwardly extending flange held in contactingengagement with said first casing member by said second casing member.

6. An autoclavable power-pak according to claim 1, wherein said seal isof silicone rubber and said annular flange is in resilient engagementwith the lens end of said bulb to effect a sealing action.

7. In an autoclavable power-pak according to claim I, wherein saidannular flange is in resilient engagement with the lens end of said bulbto effect a sealing action, means for exerting pressure against thelower end of said body to effect a second sealing action between saidbulb and said casing member.

8. An autoclavable power-pak according to claim 7, wherein said bulb hasan externally threaded base and said pressure exerting means comprisesan electrically conductive sleeve threaded thereon with an outwardlyextending flange at its lower end engaging the lower end of said tubularbody.

9. An autoclavable power-pak according to claim 8, wherein said pressureexerting means also includes means for holding said outwardly extendingflange on said sleeve in electrical-contacting engagement with saidcasing member.

@3 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,579, 269 Dated May 18, 19

Inventor(s) Ralph G. Ostensen It is certified that: error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

r- In the Abstract:

Lines 8 and 9, erase "to effect a sealing action, and a brass sleevethreadingly mounted on the base of the bulb";

Col. 1, line 56 change "drawing" to drawings Signed and sealed this 2ndday of. November 1 971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GCTTSCHALK Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. In an autoclavable power-pak having a bore in a casing member housinga lens-end light bulb, a heat and pressure resistant seal interposedbetween said bore and said bulb, comprising a tubular body surroundingsaid bulb, and an integral annular flange extending inwardly from theupper end of said body for sealing contact with said bulb.
 2. In anautoclavable power-pak according to claim 1, wherein said bore definesan annular shoulder, means for exerting pressure longitudinally on saidseal to engage the upper end thereof with said shouldEr.
 3. Anautoclavable power-pak according to claim 2, wherein saidpressure-exerting means comprises a sleeve interposed between said bulband said seal having an outwardly extending flange engaging the lowerend of said tubular body.
 4. In an autoclavable power-pak according toclaim 3, wherein said casing member is separably attachable to a secondcasing member held against said outwardly extending flange andconstituting part of said pressure-exerting means.
 5. An autoclavablepower-pak according to claim 4, wherein said bulb has an externallythreaded base, and said sleeve is a metallic conductor threaded thereonwith said outwardly extending flange held in contacting engagement withsaid first casing member by said second casing member.
 6. Anautoclavable power-pak according to claim 1, wherein said seal is ofsilicone rubber and said annular flange is in resilient engagement withthe lens end of said bulb to effect a sealing action.
 7. In anautoclavable power-pak according to claim 1, wherein said annular flangeis in resilient engagement with the lens end of said bulb to effect asealing action, means for exerting pressure against the lower end ofsaid body to effect a second sealing action between said bulb and saidcasing member.
 8. An autoclavable power-pak according to claim 7,wherein said bulb has an externally threaded base and said pressureexerting means comprises an electrically conductive sleeve threadedthereon with an outwardly extending flange at its lower end engaging thelower end of said tubular body.
 9. An autoclavable power-pak accordingto claim 8, wherein said pressure exerting means also includes means forholding said outwardly extending flange on said sleeve inelectrical-contacting engagement with said casing member.